Ann Acad Med Singap
-
Ann Acad Med Singap · Sep 1994
Occupational burns in the Burns Centre at the Singapore General Hospital.
This study reviewed all work-related burn injuries within the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993 for the purpose of establishing data on occupational burns in Singapore to identify the specific at-risk population and formulate prevention strategies. All 163 patients who were admitted to the Burns Centre, Singapore General Hospital, as a result of burns suffered in the workplace were reviewed using the World Health Organisation Burns Data Protocol. Burns data recorded included demography, industrial sector involved, aetiology, extent of injury and eventual outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Seven patients died, giving a mortality rate of 4.3%. The average BSA for these patients was 46.4% and all had respiratory burns. In all, occupational burns accounted for 2011 patient-days of hospitalization, 630,637 lost days at work and inpatient treatment costs amounting to S $1.32 million.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)